Operating System/400, 5769-SS1
512 AS/400e System Handbook
business processes. Documents can be produced using a variety of enabling tools, including
printer file keywords (for example: front and back overlays, N-Up, and duplex), DDS output
keywords, page and form definitions, the applications within AFP PrintSuite (for example:
Advanced Print Utility, AFP Toolbox), and a variety of third-party products. Output created by
network clients, as well as Postscript and image files, can also be handled by PSF/400 and
sent to IPDS printers.
PSF/400 is the OS/400 subsystem driving the interactive management of IPDS printers. IPDS
is a bi-directional print architecture that ensures that the printing process can be managed
every step of the way. When an AS/400 writer is started to an IPDS printer, PSF/400 provides
the following services:
• Establish communication and query printer capabilities and status
• Manage overlay, image, and font resources required in the printer
• Transform the AS/400 spooled file (from AFP, IPDS, or SCS) into a printer-specific
IPDS data stream.
• Manage the print process, including handling error conditions and managing error
recovery down to the page level
The net effect of this level of print management is to ensure each page of each spooled file is
printed completely and accurately. PSF/400 enables all parameters of the printer file and all
DDS print keywords (subject to printer limitations).
To create an Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS) printer on the AS/400 system, you must
(after specifying the device type as IPDS) specify AFP(*YES) in the printer device
description. Any printer defined as Type (*IPDS) and AFP (*YES) needs the Print Services
Facility (PSF) of OS/400. Twinax connected IPDS printers may be defined as AFP (*NO) and
therefore would not require PSF. Regardless of connection type, AFP (*NO) means that there
are no AFP resource management for fonts, images, or overlays.
The PSF feature of OS/400 that is required is based on the speed of the fastest printer
measured in Impressions per Minute (IPM).
IPDS printing takes on added significance across the network. TCP/IP print support is much
more limited than traditional AS/400 print management. SNDNETSPLF (LPR in TCP/IP
terminology) simply sends a spooled file with limited instructions and no feedback as to
whether it was received and printed correctly. Applying IPDS to a TCP/IP network restores
the same level of print support (as described above) as twinax-connected printers. This
includes sending standard SCS spooled files across the network.
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